How to Manage Deadlines in Agile

Business leaders often have legitimate reasons for wanting certain capabilities by certain dates. The key is shifting from ‘no deadlines ever’ to ’deadlines are a constraint we can work with creatively.’

Are deadlines the enemy of Agile? Many teams think so. But while unreasonable deadlines can destroy morale and quality, legitimate business timing needs shouldn’t be ignored. In this episode, we explore how to work productively with deadlines while maintaining Agile principles:

  • Why the “no deadlines in Agile” mindset can be counterproductive
  • Understanding the Iron Triangle and its relationship to quality
  • The counterintuitive psychological effects of fixing time vs. fixing scope
  • Practical techniques for meeting business timing needs while maintaining quality
  • Real-world examples of successful deadline navigation

Whether you’re a leader trying to make commitments to stakeholders or a team member struggling with deadline pressure, this episode offers concrete strategies for making peace with deadlines in an Agile context.

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